Colt Model of 1911 U.S. Army .45 ACP - U.S. Marine Corps, First
Shipment
Serial Number 3780 (ca. 1912)

Colt Model 1911 US Marine Corps Contract
- .45 cal. S/N 3780, sold to the United States
Government, shipped to Depot Quartermaster, United States Marine
Corp, 1100 Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA on June 6, 1912 in
a shipment of 300 pistols.

This example has some replaced
parts (slide is from a slightly later Model 1911, magazine
release pin is a later type and hammer and grips [also
mismatched] are from a M1911A1). Barrel is original and is
marked on the rear of the hood with a horizontal serif "H"
and gun has key-hole magazine. Gun has very little finish
remaining and is being presented as-found.

Year

Serial Number Range

Shipment

Qty

1912

3501-3800

Colt USMC

300

1913

36401-37650

Colt USMC

1250

1914

83901-84400

Colt USMC

500

1916

151187-151986

Colt USMC

800

1917

185801-186200

Colt USMC

400

1917

209587-210386

Colt USMC

800

1917

215387-216186

Colt USMC

800

1917

216587-216986

Colt USMC

400

1918

216987-217386

Colt USMC

400

Left side of 3780.

Close-up of serial number.

Left side. This example bears the ordnance
mark W.G.P., for Major Walter G. Penfield, in the form of a
monogram stamped on the left side of the frame above the
magazine release. Penfield inspected these pistols from
January 2, 1911 - September 30, 1914. Serial numbers of
Model 1911 pistols inspected 1 - 101500.